The beauty of Bend lies in many different directions, but today we at Bend Vacation Rentals want to shine the spotlight on the day trips to Bend you can take while based in our mountain hometown. The attractions that are just a road trip away will take your breath away as will the landscape you pass through to get to each town, village, and maybe roadside attractions, but as special as your journeys will be, returning home to our Oregon sanctuaries after will bring you joy. This guide to what our friends, neighbors, and coworkers (in other words, the residents who live here full time) consider the best day trips from Bend will give you adventures you will cherish forever.
John Day Fossil Beds National Memorial in Mitchell
Located about an hour and a half outside of Bend, the John Day Fossil Beds National Memorial consists of three different areas worth exploring, the Clarno Formation, Painted Hills, and Sheep Rock. This is where fossils can be found, where volcanic rocks create fascinating formations, and a section of colorful hills that have to be seen to be believed. The Painted Hills beg to be photographed and the photos you take of them will look like ones taken by a professional photographer. After a day of exploring this natural wonder, you and your traveling party will appreciate the cold brews and pub grub menu served at Tiger Town Brewery, 108 W Main Street.
A Visit to One of the Top Ten Best Small Towns of Sister
Sisters, located just 30 minutes away from Bend, is a small town with a big reputation. Check out the stunning landscape, a friendly and welcoming community, and something called Lost Lake, a lake that actually disappears down a hole every spring! Don’t worry, it fills back up in the winter, and during your summer visit, it appears as a lovely meadow. It’s not entirely certain as to why it disappears, but scientists believe it is due to a collapsed lava tube that occurred over 10,000 years ago. Visitors traveling here at the end of September may want to participate in the Sisters Folk Festival, when the entire town turns into a stage for folk musicians from all over the world. To go along with the homey and folksy feeling of the town, a meal at the Barn in Sisters, located at 171 E Main Avenue, will serve up the perfect ending to a perfect Oregon day trip.
Naturally Wonderful at Prineville Reservoir State Park
Prineville Reservoir State Park is located about 40 minutes outside of town, offering a dam, a canyon, a day use area with a swimming area, and the opportunity to view the wildlife that inhabit the area, especially in its companion park, the Prineville Wildlife Area. Fishing and camping are popular activities in this part of the country, and hiking trails will permit travelers to enjoy an up-close and personal wilderness experience. Birdwatchers may expect to see bald eagles and waterfowl, wildlife enthusiasts may expect to see mule deer, elk, and coyotes, and fishermen and women may catch their limit of rainbow trout, large and small mouth bass, and black crappy, proving there is something for everyone at Prineville Reservoir. And when your day of natural adventures comes to an end, the Blue Duck Saloon, located at 3770 NW Lamonta Road, features a Lonesome Dove theme and a dinner menu that offers a surprisingly elevated dining experience.
Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway
Your favorite day trip, however, may be a drive along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, stretching out over 66 miles and offering panoramic views of mountains, lakes, flower filled meadows in the summer months, and fiery colored trees in the fall. Considered the gateway to all your favorite natural adventures, during this day trip we suggest you just drive, stopping at scenic overlooks, and keeping in mind all the places you want to return to at a later time, hiking, fishing, or just taking family photos in front your favorite scenic backdrop. There really isn’t any restaurants along the route, but your return to Bend will bring you back to the restaurants that make up the culinary landscape of our mountain town, including Dear Irene, serving small plates and cocktails.
The Road to Comfort
Your day trips will end with nights of comfort and luxury in our Bend Vacation Rentals retreats, and because all roads lead back to our sanctuaries, you will never be far from home. Offering fully equipped kitchens, tranquil bedrooms, and balconies, patios, and decks that look out over the Bend landscape, your stay with us will be a vacation experience that you remember over all others. Reserve your favorite Bend sanctuary today and discover how life is better with Bend Vacation Rentals.
